Greenwich girls hockey blitzed by Hamden

David Fierro

Updated 10:57 pm, Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Greenwich High School girls ice hockey team expected a tough, physical battle against formidable Hamden Thursday night.

And that's exactly what they got.

Quick to the puck and physical throughout, Hamden seized a three-goal first-period lead and never looked back, skating to a resounding 7-1 win over Greenwich at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink.

Rachel Ugolik registered two goals and two assists, while Heather Del Cervo scored twice to power Hamden in this penalty-filled matchup. There's usually fewer penalties in girls hockey than boys, but Thursday's game included 11 infractions, seven of which were on the visitors.

"Hamden is a very strong team and from looking at their past results, we knew they were one of the top teams in the state," Cardinals coach Brett Farson said. "They are definitely one of the most physical teams we are going to play."

Farson believes the game could be a learning lesson for his squad, which is 5-6 on the season.

"Our team needs to get mentally and physically tougher," Farson said. "Hopefully, this will prepare our team for the other strong opponents we are going to face."

Tiler Thompson (one goal, two assists) scored the game's first goal 3:51 into the first period. Skating to a turnover deep in the Cardinals' zone, Thompson tallied off a wrist shot from close in, making it a 1-0 game. Controlling the puck in the neutral zone, Del Cervo skated past a pair of defenders before finishing her 1-on-1 situation against GHS goalie Dart Freccia midway through the opening period. Del Cervo tallied again off a pass from Thompson at the 5:12 mark, putting the Cardinals in a 3-0 hole.

"We got off to a good start, which is something we weren't doing at the beginning of the season," Hamden coach Mike Callan said. "We're a quick team and we used it to our advantage. Greenwich is a good team that's very well coached and they didn't give in. Their goalie made some nice saves."

Hamden (9-4), which has won nine of its last 10 games, added three more goals in the second period, while Greenwich had several near misses before tallying its first goal.

Lisa Lewis converted a shot from the point off a feed from Maddy Graves, putting the Cards on the scoreboard with 1:38 to go in the second period. Graves, forward Erin Ferguson, Emily Bacon and Ciel McDermid were active throughout for the Cardinals.

"Coach told us they were tough and we tried to stay with them, but it was tough keeping up with them," Ferguson said. "This game prepares us for the type of competition we'll see in states."

Said Graves: "Tonight, we just couldn't put the puck in the net, which was frustrating. We had a lot of great opportunities, but we didn't captialize on them. We need to step it up."

NOTE: McDermid showed her toughness returning to action after getting whacked on the wrist with a stick. She then hurt her back after taking a fall and played a few shifts before leaving the game.